Wherever one goes on Shetland and there are bushes and trees, one will see Goldcrests.They arrive on Shetland in their thousands if not millions, routinely crossing the North Sea and making landfall literally anywhere.
Stop and stare at a bush or tree in the hope of finding a bird and more often than not the first tiny movement you discern will betray the presence of a Goldcrest, all flicking wings and agitation in its non stop quest for sustenance to keep it alive
On a mild but very windy day at Grutness on Mainland I stopped by the sunken garden whose walls shelter it from the worst of the wind and provide a suitable place for two large hebe bushes to thrive. After a few minutes scrutiny they would reveal a Goldcrest or two emerging from their interior to minutely examine every purple flower and waxy leaf for the microscopic prey they feed on.
They have to feed constantly to remain alive and therfore are forever active, examining every nook and corner of the bush until satisfied there is nothing more to find and move on.
They possess the cute factor in abundance and no one can fail to be enchanted by their energetic beauty. Our smallest british bird, only a hummingbird is smaller and lighter, they are mighty midgets, punching way above their weight (roughly that of a 5p piece) and fearlessly battle the elements to cross the North Sea from conifer forest homes in Scandinavia and Russia in order to reach our comparatively milder climate.How many must perish on the way if the weather turns against them is incalculable. Often on foggy or misty nights they can become disoriented and seek temporary sanctuary and succour in the middle of the night on oil rigs and other structures far out to sea. This activity has given rise to the romantic name given to them in Malta of Moon Warbler..
They are often completely fearless of human company, conducting their lives as if ignorant of any human presence or threat. Migrant Goldcrests have been known to land on people who happen to be standing still as the birds arrive off the sea.Instead of flying off in fear they commence to pick at the person's clothing as if picking amongst more natural leaves. Others are so tired after a difficult sea crossing they instantly go to sleep wherever they settle be it on the sand of a beach or seaweed covered rocks.
I can recall one magical time, mid morning at Hermaness on Unst when the grass on the cliff edge was literally crawling with Goldcrests arriving in huge numbers off the sea.They remained for a few minutes as if to catch their breath before rapidly moving inland.
Today there was no Goldcrest settling on my clothes even though I stood but feet away from these hyperactive sprites but nor did they shun my presence and it was a joy to see them so very close and boldly going about their frantic existence.
As if to emphasise the mildness of the weather another winged migrant was also feasting on the hebe flowers.Not a bird though but a Painted Lady butterfly.
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